Measuring pump dispenser



July 21, 1964 ROGERS 3,141,580

MEASURING PUMP DISPENSER Filed Dec. 9, 1963 F G 5 INVENTOR. Fl 4 I {:iOWARD L. ROGERS ATTORNE:

United States Patent 3,141,530 RIEALSUWG PUMP DISPENSER Howard L. Rogers, 41 Maple Ave., Lincoln, RI. Filed Dec. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 329,140 20 Claims. or. 222-213 My present invention relates to squeeze tube dispensers and more particularly to a measuring pulse pump for viscose material.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a squeeze pump for a squeeze tube container for dispensing measured quantities of material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a squeeze pump construction which can be applied to existing containers for dispensing measured quantities of material.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a squeeze pump construction which can be used with toothpaste or any other product of the same or less consistency.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a squeeze pump construction which is simple in construction and easy and economical to manufacture and assemble.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view my invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and more particularly defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section of a squeeze container tube having a measuring pump of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the pump in dispensing position.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of an alternative form of pump.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with the pump of FIG. 4 in dispensing position.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view showing another form of pump construction.

With the increased use of the many plastic materials now available, the plastic squeeze container has become popular not only for toothpaste but a large number of other viscose materials and materials of liquid and gaseous forms. However, unlike toothpaste, some materials must be accurately measured in dispensing them to avoid waste and to provide accurate dosages. The present invention is designed to provide a squeeze container having a pulse pump as its dispensing unit which is designed to dispense measured quantities of the contents of the container. The pulse pump of the present invention is designed to operate on a squeeze principle, recovery action being provided by the inherent properties of the material used.

Referring more in detail to the drawings illustrating my invention, FIG..1 shows a squeeze tube container equipped with a pulse pump embodying the present invention. While any type of container may be used, it is preferred that the container 10 be provided with walls which taper in thickness from the dispensing end to the filling end 11. By providing thin walls which taper as illustrated, the container will collapse as it is emptied from the remote end forwardly as the product is drawn out by the pulse pump. While any type of suitable material may be used, it is also preferred that the material be polypropelene. This material is now made with a high degree of resiliency or memory in a high durometer reading between 90 to 95. Such material is resistant to most all chemicals and is stable at a good temperature range above boiling which permits it to be sterilized. The

3,141,580 Patented July 21, 1964 side walls 10 taper to form shoulders 12 in the conventional manner terminating in a large annular dispensing portion 13. In the form illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the dispensing cylindrical portion 13 is integral with the shoulders 12 and container Id. The portion 13 terminates in a central nipple 14 which can be cut off at 15 in a conventihnal manner before the container is put into use.

The valve comprises a center cylindrical portion 16 having a rounded forward end 17 which is designed to close the tip opening in its forward position as shown in FIG. 1. Extending at a forward angle from the center cylindrical portion 16 are integral flat arms 18 in the form of a double pantograph. The outer ends of the arms 18 are integrally connected to a cylindrical housing 19. In assembly the housing 19 is positioned inside of the dispensing portion 13 as shown in FIG. 1 and then a closure member 20 provided with threads 21 interlocking with integral threads on the interior portion of the member 13 as illustrated in FIG. 1, is screwed into position. The upstanding wall 22 bears against the low end or back end of the member 19 to lock it in position. The center of the member 21 is provided with a large opening 23 the interior portion of which is provided with an upstanding collar 24 which forms a valve seat. The rear end of the central cylindrical valve member 16 is provided with a head 25 having an arcuate shape and designed to close the Valve opening 23 by seating against the seat 24 in its rearmost position as shown in FIG. -3.

With the parts assembled as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the valve opening 23 is in open position so that the contents of the container 10 can pass into the cylindrical portion 19 as illustrated by the arrows. The nipple 14 is cut off and the contents are dispensed by pressing against the sides of the portion 13 as illustrated by the arrows shown in FIG. 3. This will collapse the double pantograph and cause the valve portion 16 to move rearwardly and seat against the collar 24 which forms a valve seat and close the opening 23. Simultaneously it is withdrawn at the forward end from the forward opening at 15 and the contents of the cylindrical portion or closure portion are then forced outwardly as shown by the arrows. Since the rear valve portion is closed, only that portion of material which is within the dispensing unit 13 will be pushed outwardly, thus forming a measured quantity of material. When the pressure is released, the inherent resiliency of the polypropelene will cause the chamber of the housing and the pantograph to return to the position shown in FIG. 1. This will create a suction, since the pantograph will move the valve 16 forwardly to close the front end and will cause the chamber to refill after the shifting of the valve. The movement of the material into this chamber will cause the collapse of the tube 10 beginning at the remote end 11. Thus the construction acts as a pulse measuring pump.

Applicant has found that the resiliency of the polypropelene will operate on a material as viscose as toothpaste. Of course thinner materials of less consistency will also operate. The device has many uses and can even be used as a dispenser in space flight for water or food.

In the form illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 the valve constitutes a sliding sleeve. In this form the dispensing housing 26 is provided with the cut off nipple 27 in the same manner as in the form shown in FIG. 1. However, here the closure portion 28 which is screwed into position at 29 is provided with a central tubular member 30 having dispensing openings 31 adjacent its rear end. The valve portion is now in the form of a hollow cylinder 32 which is slidable over the portion 31 and is provided at its forward end with a rounded closed portion 33 which seats to close the forward end as shown in FIG. 4. The integral pantograph construction 34 and its outer cylinder 35 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1. Now viewing FIG.

5, when the sides of the housing 26 are pushed inwardly the collapse of the pantograph construction 34 causes the tubular portion 32 to slide rearwardly and mask the openings 31 while opening the forward end and allowing the material to be dispensed. Removal of pressure allows the portion 32 to slide to the right and again close the forward end while allowing the housing to be refilled through the openings 31. Thus while the construction is slightly different, the operation is the same as the form shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive.

In the above forms the pulse pump has been illustrated as part of the entire container device. However, it is possible to form the pump housing portion as shown in PEG. 6. In this form the pump 36 is in a housing 37 having a shank 38 with an internal thread 39 designed to screw on to the threads of a conventional tube of toothpaste or other material. The shank has tapered sides 40 for fitting tightly against the shoulders of the tube dispenser to form a tight fit. Thus the pump can be used on successive tubes of toothpaste or any material independently. However, whichever way it is used the principle of operation is the same.

I have thus described a pulsing pump formed of a material having a memory which serves to provide the pulse power for dispensing measured quantities of a viscose material from a collapsible tube. The device can be permanently built into the tube or can be used as a separate device which can be moved from tube to tube. The device is simple in construction and easy and economical to manufacture and assemble. Other advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A dispensing pump for viscose material comprising a collapsible tube container, an annular housing mounted at the dispensing end of said container, said housing being of a highly resilient material, an inlet into said housing from said container, an outlet from said housing in an end wall thereof opposite said inlet, a valve member slidably mounted in said housing between said inlet and outlet, said valve member normally closing said outlet, and means for moving said valve from said outlet to said inlet when said housing is squeezed to permit the contents to flow out of said outlet, said means returning said valve to said outlet from said inlet on release of the squeezing action.

2. A dispensing pump for viscose material comprising a collapsible tube container, an annular housing mounted at the dispensing end of said container, said housing being of a highly resilient material, an inlet into said housing from said container, an outlet from said housing in an end wall thereof opposite said inlet, a valve member slidably mounted in said housing between said inlet and outlet, said valve member normally closing said outlet, and means for moving said valve from said outlet to said inlet when said housing is squeezed to permit the contents to flow out of said outlet, said means returning said valve to said outlet from said inlet on release of the squeezing action, said means and said housing being formed of polypropelene.

3. A dispensing pump for viscose material comprising a collapsible tube container, an annular housing mounted at the dispensing end of said container, said housing being of a highly resilient material, an inlet into said housing from said container, an outlet from said housing in an end wall thereof opposite said inlet, a valve member slidably mounted in said housing between said inlet and outlet, said valve member normally closing said outlet, and means for moving said valve from said outlet to said inlet when said housing is squeezed to permit the contents to flow out of said outlet, said means returning said valve to said outlet from said inlet on release of the squeezing action, said outlet being initially sealed by a disposable nipple integrally formed with said housing.

4. A dispensing pump for viscose material comprising a collapsible tube container, an annular housing mounted at the dispensing end of said container, said housing being of a highly resilient material, an inlet into said housing from said container, an outlet from said housing in an end wall thereof opposite said inlet, a valve member slidably mounted in said housing between said inlet and outlet, said valve member normally closing said outlet, and means for moving said valve from said outlet to said inlet when said housing is squeezed to permit the contents to flow out of said outlet, said means returning said valve to said outlet from said inlet on release of the squeezing action, said inlet comprising a separate Wall portion threaded into said housing and separating said housing from said tube, said wall portion having an inlet opening.

5. A dispensing pump for viscose material comprising a collapsible tube container, an annular housing mounted at the dispensing end of said container, said housing being of a highly resilient material, an inlet into said housing from said container, an outlet from said housing in an end Wall thereof opposite said inlet, a valve member slidably mounted in said housing between said inlet and outlet, said valve member normally closing said outlet, and means for moving said valve from said outlet to said inlet when said housing is squeezed to permit the contents to flow out of said outlet, said means returning said valve to said outlet from said inlet on release of the squeezing action, said valve moving means comprising a plurality of integral arms extending angularly from said valve, the ends of said arms being connected to form parallelograms, said parallelograms being squeezable by the Walls of said housing.

6. A dispensing pump for viscose material comprising a collapsible tube container, an annular housing mounted at the dispensing end of said container, said housing being of a highly resilient material, an inlet into said housing from said container, an outlet from said housing in an end wall thereof opposite said inlet, a valve member slidably mounted in said housing between said inlet and outlet, said valve member normally closing said outlet, and means for moving said valve from said outlet to said inlet when said housing is squeezed to permit the contents to flow out of said outlet, said means returning said valve to said outlet from said inlet on release of the squeezing action, said housing being integral with said tube.

7. A dispensing pump for viscose material comprising a collapsible tube container, an annular housing mounted at the dispensing end of said container, said housing being of a highly resilient material, an inlet into said housing from said container, an outlet from said housing in an end wall thereof opposite said inlet, a valve member slidably mounted in said housing between said inlet and outlet, said valve member normally closing said outlet, and means for moving said valve from said outlet to said inlet when said housing is squeezed to permit the contents to flow out of said outlet, said means returning said valve to said outlet from said inlet on release of the squeezing action, the walls of said tube tapering in thickness from the housing end rearwardly, the thinnest portion being remote from said housing.

8. A dispensing pump for viscose material comprising a collapsible tube container, an annular housing mounted at the dispensing end of said container, said housing being of a highly resilient material, an inlet into said housing from said container, an outlet from said housing in an end wall thereof opposite said inlet, a valve member slidably mounted in said housing between said inlet and outlet, said valve member normally closing said outlet, and means for moving said valve from said outlet to said inlet when said housing is squeezed to permit the contents to flow out of said outlet, said means returning said valve to said outlet from said inlet on release of the squeezing action, said inlet including a tubular member having side openings, a valve sleeve slidable over said member to open or close said openings, and parallelogram arms extending from said sleeve to move said sleeve in response to the squeezing action of said housing.

9. A dispensing pump for viscose material comprising a collapsible tube container, an annular housing mounted at the dispensing end of said container, said housing being of a highly resilient material, an inlet into said housing from said container, an outlet from said housing in an end wall thereof opposite said inlet, a valve member slidably mounted in said housing between said inlet and outlet, said valve member normally closing said outlet, and means for moving said valve from said outlet to said inlet when said housing is squeezed to permit the contents to flow out of said outlet, said means returning said valve to said outlet from said inlet on release of the squeezing action, said tube having a threaded outlet, said housing having a threaded inlet adapted to threadedly engage said outlet to mount said housing on said tube.

10. A dispensing pump for viscose material comprising a collapsible tube container, an annular housing mounted at the dispensing end of said container, said housing being of a highly resilient material, an inlet into said housing from said container, an outlet from said housing in an end wall thereof opposite said inlet, a valve member slidably mounted in said housing betwen said inlet and outlet, said valve member normally closing said outlet, and means for moving said valve from said outlet to said inlet when said housing is squeezed to permit the contents to flow out of said outlet, said means returning said valve to said outlet from said inlet on release of the squeezing action, said outlet being initially sealed by a disposable nipple integrally formed with said housing, said means and said housing being formed of polypropelene.

11. A dispensing pump for viscose material comprising a collapsible tube container, an annular housing mounted at the dispensing end of said container, said housing being of a highly resilient material, an inlet into said housing from said container, an outlet from said housing in an end wall thereof opposite said inlet, a valve member slidably mounted in said housing between said inlet and outlet, said valve member normally closing said outlet, and means for moving said valve from said outlet to said inlet when said housing is squeezed to permit the contents to flow out of said outlet, said means returning said valve to said outlet from said inlet on release of the squeezing action, said outlet being initially sealed by a disposable nipple integrally formed with said housing, said inlet comprising a separate wall portion threaded into said housing and separating said housing from said tube, said wall portion having an inlet opening.

12. A dispensing pump for viscose material comprising a collapsible tube container, an annular housing mounted at the disposing end of said container, said housing being of a highly resilient material, an inlet into said housing from said container, an outlet from said housing in an end wall thereof opposite said inlet, a valve member slidably mounted in said housing between said inlet and outlet, said valve member normally closing said outlet, and means for moving said valve from said outlet to said inlet when said housing is squeezed to permit the contents to flow out of said outlet, said means returning said valve to said outlet from said inlet on release of the squeezing action, said outlet being initially sealed by a disposable nipple integrally formed with said housing, said inlet comprising a separate wall portion threaded into said housing and separating said housing from said tube, said wall portion having an inlet opening, said means and said housing being formed of polypropelene.

13. A dispensing pump for viscose material comprising a collapsible tube container, an annular housing mounted at the dispensing end of said container, said housing being of a highly resilient material, an inlet into said housing from said container, an outlet from said housing in an end Wall thereof opposite said inlet, a valve member slidably mounted in said housing between said inlet and outlet, said valve member normally closing said outlet, and means for moving said valve from said outlet to said inlet when said housing is squeezed to permit the contents to flow out of said outlet, said means returning said valve to said outlet from said inlet on release of the squeezing action, said outlet being initially sealed by a disposable nipple integrally formed with said housing, said tube having a threaded outlet, said housing having a threaded inlet adapted to threadedly engage said outlet to mount said housing on said tube.

14. A dispensing pump for viscose material comprising a collapsible tube container, an annular housing mounted at the dispensing end of said container, said housing being of a highly resilient material, an inlet into said housing from said container, an outlet from said housing in an end wall thereof opposite said inlet, a valve member slidably mounted in said housing between said inlet and outlet, said valve member normally closing said outlet, and means for moving said valve from said outlet to said inlet when said housing is squeezed to permit the contents to flow out of said outlet, said means returning said valve to said outlet from said inlet on release of the squeezing action, said outlet being initially sealed by a disposable nipple integrally formed with said housing, said means and said housing being formed of polypropelene, said tube having a threaded outlet, said housing having a threaded inlet adapted to threadedly engage said outlet to mount said housing on said tube.

- 15. A dispensing pump for viscose material comprising a collapsible tube container, an annular housing mounted at the dispensing end of said container, said housing being of a highly resilient material, an inlet into said housing from said container, an outlet from said housing in an end wall thereof opposite said inlet, a valve member slidably mounted in said housing between said inlet and outlet, said valve member normally closing said outlet, and means for moving said valve from said outlet to said inlet when said housing is squeezed to permit the contents to flow out of said outlet, said means returning said valve to said outlet from said inlet on release of the squeezing action, said inlet comprising a separate wall portion threaded into said housing and separating said housing from said tube, said wall portion having an inlet opening, said valve moving means comprising a plurality of integral arms extending angularly from said valve, the ends of said arms being connected to form parallelograms, said parallelograms being squeezable by the walls of said hous 16. A dispensing pump for viscose material comprising a collapsible tube container, an annular housing mounted at the dispensing end of said container, said housing being of a highly resilient material, an inlet into said housing from said container, an outlet from said housing in an end wall thereof opposite said inlet, a valve member slidably mounted in said housing between said inlet and outlet, said valve member normally closing said outlet, and means for moving said valve from said outlet to said inlet when said housing is squeezed to permit the contents to flow out of said outlet, said means returning said valve to said outlet from said inlet on release of the squeezing action, said inlet comprising a separate wall portion threaded into said housing and separating said housing from said tube, said wall portion having an inlet, said housing being integral with said tube.

17. A dispensing pump for viscose material comprising a collapsible tube container, an annular housing mounted at the dispensing end of said container, said housing being of a highly resilient material, an inlet into said housing from said container, an outlet from said housing in an end wall thereof opposite said inlet, a valve member slidably mounted in said housing between said inlet and outlet, said valve member normally closing said outlet, and means for moving said valve from said outlet to said inlet when said housing is squeezed to permit the contents to flow out of said outlet, said means returning said valve to said outlet from said inlet on release of the squeezing action, said outlet being initially sealed by a disposable nipple integrally formed with said housing, said inlet comprising a separate Wall portion threaded into said housing and separating said housing from said tube, said wall portion having an inlet opening, the walls of said tube tapering in thickness from the housing end rearwardly, the thinnest portion being remote from said housing.

18. A dispensing pump for viscose material comprising a collapsible tube container, an annular housing mounted at the dispensing end of said container, said housing being of a highly resilient material, an inlet into said housing from said container, an outlet from said housing in an end wall thereof opposite said inlet, a valve member slidably mounted in said housing between said inlet and outlet, said valve member normally closing said outlet, and means for moving said valve from said outlet to said inlet when said housing is squeezed to permit the contents to flow out of said outlet, said means returning said valve to said outlet from said inlet on release of the squeezing action, said outlet being initially sealed by a disposable nipple integrally formed with said housing, said inlet including a tubular member having side openings, a valve sleeve slidable over said member to open or close said openings, and parallelogram arms extending from said sleeve to move said sleeve in response to the squeezing action of said housing.

19. A dispensing pump for viscose material comprising a collapsible tube container, an annular housing mounted at the dispensing end of said container, said housing being of a highly resilient material, an inlet into said housing from said container, an outlet from said housing in an end wall thereof opposite said inlet, a valve member slidably mounted in said housing between said inlet and outlet, said valve member normally closing said outlet, and means for moving said valve from said outlet to said inlet when said housing is squeezed to permit the contents to fiow out of said outlet, said means returning said valve to said outlet from said inlet on release of the squeezing action,

said outlet being initially sealed by a disposable nipple integrally formed with said housing, said inlet comprising a separate wall portion threaded into said housing and separating said housing from said tube, said wall portion having an inlet opening, the walls of said tube tapering in thickness from the housing end rearwardly, the thinnest portion being remote from said housing, said inlet including a tubular member having side openings, a valve sleeve slidable over said member to open or close said openings, and parallelogram arms extending from said sleeve to move said sleeve in response to the squeezing action of said housing.

20. A dispensing pump for viscose material comprising a collapsible tube container, an annular housing mounted at the dispensing end of said container, said housing being of a highly resilient material, an inlet into said housing from said container, an outlet from said housing in an end wall thereof opposite said inlet, a valve member slidably mounted in said housing between said inlet and outlet, said valve member normally closing said outlet, and means for moving said valve from said outlet to said inlet when said housing is squeezed to permit the contents to flow out of said outlet, said means returning said valve to said outlet from said inlet on release of the squeezing action, said inlet comprising a separate Wall portion threaded into said housing and separating said housing from said tube, said wall portion having an inlet opening, said valve moving means comprising a plurality of integral arms extending angularly from said valve, the ends of said arms being connected to form parallelograms, said parallelograms being squeezable by the walls of said housing, said tube having a threaded outlet, said housing having a threaded inlet adapted to threadedly engage said outlet to mount said housing on said tube.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A DISPENSING PUMP FOR VISCOSE MATERIAL COMPRISING A COLLAPSIBLE TUBE CONTAINER, AN ANNULAR HOUSING MOUNTED AT THE DISPENSING END OF SAID CONTAINER, SAID HOUSING BEING OF A HIGHLY RESILIENT MATERIAL, AN INLET INTO SAID HOUSING FROM SAID CONTAINER, AN OUTLET FROM SAID HOUSING IN AN END WALL THEREOF OPPOSITE SAID INLET, A VALVE MEMBER SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING BETWEEN SAID INLET AND OUTLET, SAID VALVE MEMBER NORMALLY CLOSING SAID OUTLET, AND MEANS FOR MOVING SAID VALVE FROM SAID OUTLET TO SAID INLET WHEN SAID HOUSING IS SQUEEZED TO PERMIT THE CONTENTS TO FLOW OUT OF SAID OUTLET, SAID MEANS RETURNING SAID VALVE TO SAID OUTLET FROM SAID INLET ON RELEASE OF THE SQUEEZING ACTION. 